Nigel Farage hits out at the ‘cesspit that is career politics’ after Number 10 dismisses calls by Donald Trump to make him the UK’s ambassador to America
The President-elect said Ukip's interim leader he would do a ‘great job’ as the senior diplomat in Washington
NIGEL Farage has hit out at "cesspit that is career politics" after Number 10 slaps down Donald Trump's call for him to become Britain's ambassador to the United States.
He said he was "very flattered" by the comments from the President-elect, but Number 10 insisted there is "no vacancy".
In a highly unusual intervention that breaks with diplomatic protocol, Mr Trump announced on Twitter he thought the interim Ukip leader would do a "great job" in the role.
The real estate mogul said "many people" wanted to see him as the UK's most senior diplomat in Washington, after the pair struck up a friendship during his election campaign.
It caused fresh embarrassment for the Prime Minister and the so-called ‘special relationship’, who was only the 10th world leader to speak to Mr Trump after his victory over Hillary Clinton.
Meanwhile Mr Farage flew out to New York to have a meeting with Barack Obama’s successor at Trump Tower, and has called on Theresa May to let him help smooth relations between the pair.
He said of the endorsement: "I'm very flattered by the comments and I have said since I met the president-elect that I would like to do anything I can to act in a positive way to help relationships between our two countries."
And he tweeted that: "I have known several of the Trump team for years and I am in a good position with the President-elect’s support to help."
But Downing Street praised Britain's current top official in America, Sir Kim Darroch, with a spokesman saying: "We already have an excellent ambassador to the US."
Theresa May's spokesman added the UK has an "incredibly strong and enduring" relationship with the US, saying this would be built on when Trump takes office.
Mrs May is trying to improve relations between Mr Trump's incoming administration, and inviting the Republican to make a state visit to the UK as early as 2017 is "under consideration" say Number 10.
And there are plans to use the Queen to charm the President-elect, by rolling out the red carpet and inviting him to Windsor Castle.
Mr Farage has since hit back, denouncing what he described as "career politicians" who were pretending to be Mr Trump's friend after previously criticising him.
he said of the news: "Like a bolt from the blue Trump tweeted out that I would do a great job as the UK’s Ambassador to Washington.
"I can still scarcely believe that he did that though speaking to a couple of his long time friends perhaps I am a little less surprised.
"They all say the same thing: that Trump is a very loyal man and supports those that stand by him.
"It is called trust and it is how the whole world of business operates. Sadly, the cesspit that is career politics understands nothing of this. In their world the concept of trust is transitory."
Writing later for website Breitbart, whose former executive chairman Stephen Bannon has been appointed Mr Trump's chief strategist, he said: "The political revolution of 2016 now sees a new order in charge of Washington.
"In the United Kingdom the people have spoken but the players at the top have, I am afraid, stayed the same."
He added: "I have said since the now famous photograph with Donald Trump 10 days ago that I would do anything to help our national interest and to help cement ties with the incoming Anglophile administration.
"At every stage I am greeted by negative comments coming out of Downing Street. The dislike of me, Ukip and the referendum result is more important to them than what could be good for our country.
"Those who supported Remain now hold senior positions. Worst still, those who were openly abusive about Trump now pretend to be his friend. It is career politics at its worst and it is now getting in the way of the national interest.
"I have known several of the Trump team for years and I am in a good position with the President-elect's support to help. The world has changed and its time that Downing Street did too."
In the immediate wake of Mr Trump's election, a leaked memo reportedly sent by Sir Kim sought to reassure the Government that UK diplomats were "well placed" to capitalise on change at the White House.
However Mr Farage said it was "obvious" that the ambassador, who took over in January, should resign as he was part of the "old regime".
The Brexit Secretary David Davis dampened down any speculation, telling the BBC: "We are believers in free speech in Britain, but we've got a very good ambassador - Kim Darroch - and he's going to be there for some years.
"People can say what they like. The simple truth is there's no vacancy. This is an ambassador who is very, very good, as we've seen already, and he will be there for years."
Reacting to the news Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: "Farage as ambassador is a frankly stupid idea. I have more diplomacy in my little finger.
"But what's more worrying is the axing of TPP."
It comes after Mr Trump also announced last night he would quit the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal on his first day in the White House.
He made the revelation in a video message outlining what he intends to do first in his first 100 days, when he takes office from Barack Obama in January.
The controversial TPP trade deal was signed in February this year by 12 Pacific Rim countries – including Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Mexico - which together cover 40% of the world's economy.
Mr Trump’s remarks could be a boost for Britain as it seeks to make its own deals with countries post Brexit.
The billionaire said last night: “I am going to issue a notification of intent to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership – a potential disaster for our country.
“Instead we will negotiate fair bilateral trade deals, that bring jobs and industry back onto American shores.”
Asian leaders have been scrambling to save the trade pact, but Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that: "TPP without the United States would be meaningless."
The 70-year-old's pledge was one of six he promised to execute with immediate executive action - which he can take without Congressional approval.
The other included reducing “job-killing restrictions” on coal production and to stop visa abuses – but failed to mention building a wall with Mexico or axing Obamacare.
He also revealed he was formulating a plan to toughen US security against cyber-terrorism and “all other forms of attacks”.
The next leader of the free world said his transition team was running “very smoothly, efficiently and effectively” during his address to the nation – released on YouTube.
Mr Trump concluded: “These are just a few of the steps we will take to reform Washington and rebuild our middle class.
“I will provide more updates in the coming days as we work together to make America great again for everyone – and I mean everyone.”